Railroad system for levee constructing



April 1, 1930. R. H. M WILLIAMS 1,752,958

RAILROAD SYSTEM FOR LEVEE CONSTRUCTING Filed July 11. 1928 4- tS- t 1 INVENTOR. Robert ,H WWW/77,5

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APri] l, 1930. R. H. McWILLIAMS 5 I ROAD SYSTEM F Filed July 11. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. t-E WWW/n5- April 1, 1930- I R. H. MOWILLIAMS 1,752,958

\ RAILROAD SYSTEM FOR LEVEE CONSTRUCTING Filed July 11, 1928 4 Sheet-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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A ril 1, 1930. R. H. M W'ILLIAMS 1,752,958

' RAILROAD SYSTEM FOR LEVEE CONSTRUCTING Filed July 11. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a INVDENTOR. RobertHJWWZZZZa/ILS,

Patented Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED STATES ROBERT MCWILLIAMS, or MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE RAILROAD SYSTEM FOR LEVEE CONSTRUCTING Application filed July 11, 1928. Serial No. 291,849.

My said invention relates to a system for constructing levees and it is an object thereof to provide improved means for handling dump cars used in such construction or in other analogous situations.

Referring to the drawings, which are made a part of this application and in which similar. reference characters indicate similar parts:

Fig. 1 is a cross section of a levee,

Fig. 2, a plan of the same, showing my improvements as applied thereto,

Fig. 3, a detail of the tracks for dump cars,

Fig. 4, a longitudinal section showing different positions of a portion of a dump car and of a power car used in connection therewith,

Fig. 4 a transverse section of a part of the track,

Fig. 5, a plan on an enlarged scale of elevating mechanism for the dump cars, and

Fig. 6, a similar view of lowering mechanism- In the drawings reference character 10 indicates the top of a levee which it is proposed to improve, the incline at the river side being indicated at 11, the proposed incline at the land side at 12, the present incline at the land side at 13 and the outline of the reinforcement at 14. A banquette 15 provides a level space adjacent the top of the levee for a track 16 on which trains may run as indicated in Fig. 2 and a track 17 runs more or less approximately parallel to the first named track and to the levee along the river bank. Tracks 18 and 19 connect the tracks 16 and 17 the tracks 18 and 19 running on the approxi-' mately level ground between the river and the levee and then continuing up the relative- 0 ly steep incline of the levee t0 the track 16.

Trains of dump cars operate on the various tracks for moving from the barrow pits 20 to the top of the levee and along the track 16 to the desired position for dumping, steam 5 shovels 21 or other desirable loading means being provided adjacent the barrow pits for loading the cars and the trains being drawn by locomotives along tracks 16 and 17 and the relatively level parts of tracks 18 and 19.

I-provide means to aid the locomotives in train starts up such side.

pulling the trains up the sides of the levee and for controlling the downward movement on tracks 18 and 19 at such points.

The means for assisting in the elevation of the trains comprises a hoist 21 operated by an engine 22 connected in driving relation to a drum 23 about which a portion of a cable 24 is wound. The cable passes above a pulley 25 on a support 26 here shown as located between the rails of the track 16 and thence to a power car 27 having wheels 28 running on rails of an auxiliary track 29 positioned between the rails of the track 19. The track 29 has an inclined part at 30 at a point spaced from the river side of the levee and runs then at a lower level as indicated at 31 for a distance at'least suflicient to permit the power car to assume such a low position that the train can pass above the power car without touchingit, the parts 30 and 31 being preferably at such a distance from the side of the levee as to permit the entire length of the train .to pass beyond the part 30 before the The depressed part of the tracks 31 is supported on ties 32 which may be sunk more deeply than the ties supporting the elevated portions, blocks 33 being provided for supporting the rails 19 in appropriate position. Obviously other means may beemployed for this purpose.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated the operation of the power car, the left-hand position showing the power car below an axle 35, which may be the rear axle of the rear-most dump car mounted on wheels 34. The power car has an upward extension 33 onthe body 27 adapted to engage the axle 35 for pushing the train. The intermediate position in. Fig. 4 illustrates the power car riding up the incline 30 toward its position for engaging the axle 35 and the right-hand position illustrates the projection 33 as being in engagement with the axle.

A track 36 is shown in Fig. 6 at one side of the main track 18, this track like the auxiliary track 29 extending only down to the relatively level ground at the foot of the levee or approximately so far. A power car 37 has wheels 38 running on a track 39 similar to the traclc29 and having similar inclined and depressed portions. A cable 40 extends from the power car around a pulley 41, then about a drum 42, about another pulley 43 and thence to a counter-balancing car 44 on track 36.

In the operation of my device one or more trains may be loaded simultaneously at different positions on the track 17 and may then be moved along the track 19 to the bottom of the levee, Where they pass over the power car 27 on the depressed portion 31 of the auxiliary track, after which the hoist is operated to move the power car into the different positions indicated in Fig. 4 and then to assist the movement of the train by its locomotive up the steeply inclined part of track 19. Preferably, though not necessarily, the track on the side of the levee is laid at an acute angle tothe track 16 so as to decrease the grade up which the train must be drawn. After the trains reach the tracks 16 they may be moved in either direction thereon to the point where they are to be dumped, after which they can be moved to one of the tracks 18. The power car on thetrack 1-8 is normally in position atthe highest part of the track 18, as indicated in Fig. 6,so as to be in position to engage the rearzaxle of therear-most car and control the descent of the train through the action of the counter-balancing car 44 which is its highest position after each lowering operation. The cable 40 connecting the two cars is woundabout the drum 42 which maybe provided with suitable braking means indicated at 49 for the purpose of additionally retarding the lowering movement of the train. At the bottom of the grade the power car moves into a depressed position in such a manner as illustrated in Fig. 4 or in any other suitable manner and permits the train to ride over it under the control of its locomotive. Preferably the auxiliary track 39 and the connecting track 18 are at such an angle to the track 16 as above described for track 19 and for similarreasons The track 36 extends only to the bottom of the grade or a little further to providexfor movement of the counter-balancing'car corresponding to that of the power car 37. Two or more trains can use the elerating track 19 for elevating each train of cars and its locomotive as they are loaded at the separate barrow pits. It will be understood that no counter-balancing car is needed for the power car 27 mere release of the hoist permits this power car to 'ietiirn to position for engagement with the next train. Two trains caabe loweredon :the lowering track and one raised on the elevating track atgthefsame time desired,

It (will be obvi as to those skilled in tli 51ft that various modifications may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what-I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting the first and second tracks, power means in connection with said connecting track for elevating a train, a fourth track adjacent the third track also connecting the firstand second tracks, and means in connection with said fourth track for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same.

2. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting the first and second tracks, and power means in connection with said connecting track for elevating a train.

8. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting the first and second tracks, power means in connection with said connecting track for elevating a train, said powermeans comprising a power-operated car adapted to engage said train, and means arranged to bring the power car into engagement with the train when the train reaches a predetermined point on its way up the levee.

4. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting the first and second tracks, power means in connection with said connection track for elevating a train, said means comprising a power-operated car adapted to engage said train, and an auxiliary track for the power car between the rails of the track for the train, said auxiliary track being depressed at the bottom of said grade 1 to permit the train to pass over the power car before being engaged thereby.

5. j The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting the firstand second tracks, power means in connection with said connecting track for elevatii'ig a' train, said power means comprising a "poweaepemeea car adapted to engage said train, an-upward prejwtiim on'saia sweeter, stamens-arran ed to bring the projection into engagement with the axle of a car of said train when said train reaches a predetermined point on said track.

6 The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second tracks, and means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same.

7. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second tracks, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprising a power car adapted to engage a descending train, and means to resist the downward movement of the power car.

8. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same,

an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second track, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprising a power car adapted to engage a descending train, and means to resist the downward movement of the power car combined with means for automatically disengaging said power car from said train at a predetermined time.

9. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second track, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprlsing a power car adapted to engage a descending train, an upward projection on said power car adapted to engage an axle on a car of a descending train, and means to resist the downward movement of said power car.

10. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top ofthe same, an approximately parallel track ad acent the levee, a track connecting sald first and second tracks, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control whlle being lowered along the same, said means comprising a power car adapted to engage a descending train, an upward pro ection on said power car adapted to engage a car axle, and means arranged to disengage the pro ection from such axle at a predetermined point on the track.

11. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extendmg alongthe levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second tracks, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprising a power car adapted to engage a descending train, a counter-balancing car connected to said power car, and a track for said counterbalancing car.

12. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second tracks, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprising a power car adapted to engage a descending train, a counter-balancing car connected to said power car, a track for said counterbalancing car, a cable connecting said cars, a drum about which said cable is wound between said cars, and braking means for said drum.

13. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second tracks, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprising a power car adapted to engage a descending train, a track for said power car between the rails of the connecting track, and means for controlling the movement of the power car.

14. The combination in a railroad system for levee construction, of a track extending along the levee adjacent the top of the same, an approximately parallel track adjacent the levee, a track connecting said first and second tracks, means in connection with said tracks for keeping a train under control while being lowered along the same, said means comprising a. power car adapted to engage a descending train, a counter-balance for said power car, and means for automatically disengaging said power car from said train at a predetermined time.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

ROBERT H. MolVILLIAMS. 

